France Pierron sparks outcry after criticizing Jérémy Doku's decision to attend his child's birth

Journalist France Pierron drew a barrage of criticism after expressing, Friday on L’Équipe’s broadcast, her incomprehension at Jérémy Doku’s decision to temporarily leave the Belgium squad to attend the birth of his child, in the middle of the 2026 World Cup.

Currently in the United States with Belgium for the World Cup, Doku is about to become a father, with his wife due to give birth during the first half of July. This personal choice has been divisive in Belgium for several days, but it was France Pierron’s intervention that ignited the debate in France.

“I don’t understand, when you have the chance to participate in a World Cup, it’s an incredible blessing, there are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your place, it may never happen again in your life, and you’re going to leave all that to attend the birth of your child…” she said. The journalist, a mother herself, also described childbirth as “a disgusting moment where the father is useless, he plays an extra role”, before concluding: “Your baby will always be there.”

These remarks immediately sparked a wave of reactions on social media, and several of her colleagues directly challenged her. Charlotte Namura wrote on Instagram: “I hope you find more love at home France, in your life, all of that. Because you have to be lacking it to have so many harsh certainties on a subject like this.” Clémentine Sarlat for her part felt that “in 2026 we can no longer hold this type of discourse”, stressing the importance of valuing fatherhood and reminding that “a woman giving birth is a more vulnerable woman”.

Cécile Grès, Bernard Mendy, Layvin Kurzawa and Anne-Laure Bonnet are among the many sports personalities who also deplored these remarks. On X, ordinary users also expressed their disagreement, some testifying to the emotional impact of a child’s birth. A few voices questioned the sincerity of France Pierron’s intervention, wondering if she had deliberately sought to provoke the debate.